FLORIDA – As Labor Day weekend approaches, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) shared a reminder on how residents can help protect sea turtles and shorebirds.
Florida’s beaches provide important nesting habitats for several species of imperiled sea turtles and shorebirds. The animals are dependent on the beaches for successful nesting, resting and migrating.
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Across the state, some sea turtle hatchlings are still emerging from nests on many beaches, trying to make their way to the ocean. FWC says any interference, including artificial lights and getting too close, can cause hatchlings to be confused and lose their way, endangering their chances at survival.
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Florida beaches also host vulnerable shorebirds and seabirds year-round. Birds, such as the piping plover and red knot, are returning to refuel during migration and stay for the winter. Giving shorebirds and seabirds space to rest and forage benefits them all year.
Here are a few FWC recommended actions to help both sea turtles and shorebirds while visiting the beach:
- Turn off lights or close curtains after dark to ensure nesting turtles are not disturbed or disoriented as they come ashore, and hatchlings will not become disoriented when they emerge from their nests. Any lighting can misdirect and disturb nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings, leading them away from the ocean and toward potential danger. If lighting is still visible, make sure exterior lighting adjacent to nesting beaches is long, low and shielded. Avoid using any color flashlight, cell phone lights and taking flash photos after dark on the beach.
- Clear the way at the end of the day— properly dispose of or recycle all trash, fill in human-made holes in the sand and remove all beach toys and furniture from the beach before sunset. Obstacles on the beach can prevent sea turtles from nesting. Properly dispose of any trash and food scraps that can attract predators that can prey on sea turtle hatchlings and flightless shorebirds.
- Give sea turtles, emerging hatchlings and shorebirds space. Getting too close to sea turtle hatchlings or nesting sea turtles can prevent them from getting to where they need to go. If an animal changes its behavior when you approach, that is a sign you may be too close.
- Drive slowly along coastal routes to help keep both wildlife and human pedestrians safe. While not a common occurrence, be on the lookout for disoriented sea turtles or young, flightless shorebirds in unexpected places, such as coastal sidewalks or roadways.
If you find a sea turtle hatchling or adult sea turtle in distress, immediately call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).